Lockettookdecidedlytoomanythingsforgranted，andtheexplorerofSirDominickFerrand’sirregularitiesrememberedafreshhowclearhehadbeenafterallabouthisindispositiontotrafficinthem。Heaskedhisvisitortowhatendhewishedtoremovetheletters，sinceontheonehandtherewasnoquestionnowofthearticleinthePromiscuouswhichwastorevealtheirexistence，andontheotherhehimself，astheirowner，hadathousandinsurmountablescruplesaboutputtingthemintocirculation。
Mr。Locketlookedoverhisspectaclesasoverthebattlementsofafortress。\"I’mnotthinkingoftheend——I’mthinkingofthebeginning。Afewglanceshaveassuredmethatsuchdocumentsoughttobesubmittedtosomecompetenteye。\"
\"Oh，youmustn’tshowthemtoanyone！\"Baronexclaimed。
\"Youmaythinkmepresumptuous，buttheeyethatIventuretoalludetointhoseterms——\"
\"IstheeyenowfixedsoterriblyonME？\"Peterlaughinglyinterrupted。\"Oh，itwouldbeinteresting，Iconfess，toknowhowtheystrikeamanofyouracuteness！\"Ithadoccurredtohimthatbysuchaconcessionhemightendearhimselftoaliteraryumpirehithertoimplacable。TherewouldbenoquestionofhispublishingSirDominickFerrand，buthemight，indueacknowledgmentofservicesrendered，formthehabitofpublishingPeterBaron。\"Howlongwoulditbeyourideatoretainthem？\"heinquired，inamannerwhich，heimmediatelybecameaware，waswhatincitedMr。Lockettobeginstuffingthepapersintohisbag。Withthisperceptionhecamequicklycloserand，layinghishandonthegapingreceptacle，lightlydrewitstwolipstogether。Inthiswaythetwomenstoodforafewseconds，touching，almostintheattitudeofcombat，lookinghardintoeachother’seyes。
ThetensionwasquicklyrelievedhoweverbythesurprisedflushwhichmantledonMr。Locket’sbrow。Hefellbackafewstepswithaninjureddignitythatmighthavebeenaprotestagainstphysicalviolence。\"Really，mydearyoungsir，yourattitudeistantamounttoanaccusationofintendedbadfaith。DoyouthinkIwanttostealtheconfoundedthings？\"InreplytosuchachallengePetercouldonlyhastilydeclarethathewasguiltyofnodiscourteoussuspicion——
heonlywantedalimitnamed，apledgeofeveryprecautionagainstaccident。Mr。Locketadmittedthejusticeofthedemand，assuredhimhewouldrestorethepropertywithinthreedays，andcompleted，withPeter’sassistance，hislittlearrangementsforremovingitdiscreetly。Whenhewasready，histreacherousreticuledistendedwithitstreasures，hegavealingeringlookattheinscrutabledavenport。\"It’showtheyevergotintothatthingthatpuzzlesone’sbrain！\"
\"Therewassomeconcatenationofcircumstancesthatwoulddoubtlessseemnaturalenoughifitwereexplained，butthatonewouldhavetoremountthestreamoftimetoascertain。ToonecourseIhavedefinitelymadeupmymind：nottomakeanystatementoranyinquiryattheshop。Isimplyacceptthemystery，\"saidPeter，rathergrandly。
\"Thatwouldbethoughtacheapescapeifyouweretoputitintoastory，\"Mr。Locketsmiled。
\"Yes，Ishouldn’tofferthestorytoYOU。IshallbeimpatienttillIseemypapersagain，\"theyoungmancalledout，ashisvisitorhurrieddownstairs。
Thatevening，bythelastdelivery，hereceived，undertheDoverpostmark，aletterthatwasnotfromMissTeagle。Itwasaslightlyconfusedbutaltogetherfriendlynote，writtenthatmorningafterbreakfast，theostensiblepurposeofwhichwastothankhimfortheamiabilityofhisvisit，toexpressregretatanyappearancethewritermighthavehadofmeddlingwithwhatdidn’tconcernher，andtolethimknowthattheeveningbefore，afterhehadlefther，shehadinamomentofinspirationgotholdofthetailofareallymusicalidea——aperfectaccompanimentforthesonghehadsokindlygivenher。Shehadscrawled，asaspecimen，afewbarsattheendofhernote，mystic，mockingmusicalsignswhichhadnosenseforhercorrespondent。Thewholelettertestifiedtoarestlessbutratherpointlessdesiretoremainincommunicationwithhim。Inansweringher，however，whichhedidthatnightbeforegoingtobed，itwasonthisbrightpossibilityoftheircollaboration，itsadvantagesforthefutureofeachofthem，thatBaronprincipallyexpatiated。Hespokeofthisfuturewithaneloquenceofwhichhewouldhavedefendedthesincerity，anddrewofitapictureextravagantlyrich。
Thenextmorning，ashewasabouttosettlehimselftotasksforsometimeterriblyneglected，withasensethatafterallitwasratherareliefnottobesittingsoclosetoSirDominickFerrand，whohadbecomedreadfullydistracting；attheverymomentatwhichhehabituallyaddressedhispreliminaryinvocationtothemuse，hewasagitatedbythearrivalofatelegramwhichprovedtobeanurgentrequestfromMr。Locketthathewouldimmediatelycomedownandseehim。Thisrepresented，forpoorBaron，whosefundswereverylow，anothermorningsacrificed，butsomehowitdidn’tevenoccurtohimthathemightimposehisowntimeupontheeditorofthePromiscuous，thekeeperofthekeysofrenown。Hehadsomeoftheplasticityoftherawcontributor。Hegavethemuseanotherholiday，feelingshewasreallyashamedtotakeit，andincourseoftimefoundhimselfinMr。Locket’sownchairatMr。Locket’sowntable——somuchnobleranexpansethantheslipperyslopeofthedavenport——consideringwithquickintensity，inthewhiteflashofcertainwordsjustbroughtoutbyhishost，thequantityofhappiness，ofemancipationthatmightresideinahundredpounds。
Yes，thatwaswhatitmeant：Mr。Locket，inthetwenty-fourhours，haddiscoveredsomuchinSirDominick’sliteraryremainsthathisvisitorfoundhimprimedwithanoffer。Ahundredpoundswouldbepaidhimthatday，thatminute，andnoquestionswouldbeeitheraskedoranswered。\"Itakealltherisks，Itakealltherisks，\"theeditorofthePromiscuousrepeated。Theletterswereoutonthetable，Mr。Locketwasonthehearthrug，likeanoratoronaplatform，andPeter，undertheinfluenceofhissuddenultimatum，haddropped，ratherweakly，intotheseatwhichhappenedtobenearestandwhich，ashebecameconsciousitmovedonapivot，hewhirledroundsoastoenablehimselftolookathistempterwithaneyeintendedtobecold。WhatsurprisedhimmostwastofindMr。LockettakingexactlythelineabouttheexpediencyofpublicationwhichhewouldhaveexpectedMr。Locketnottotake。\"Hushitallup；abarrenscandal，anoffencethatcan’tberemedied，isthethingintheworldthatleastjustifiesanairing——\"somesuchlineasthatwasthelinehewouldhavethoughtnaturaltoamanwhoselifewasspentinweighingquestionsofproprietyandwhohadonlytheotherdayobjected，inthelightofthisvirtue，toaworkofthemostdisinterestedart。
Buttheauthorofthatincorruptiblemasterpiecehadputhisfingerontheplaceinsayingtohisinterlocutorontheoccasionofhislastvisitthat，ifgiventotheworldinthepagesofthePromiscuous，SirDominick’saberrationswouldselltheedition。ItwasnotnecessaryforMr。Lockettoreiteratetohisyoungfriendhisphraseabouttheirmakingasensation。Ifhewishedtopurchasethe\"rights，\"astheatricalpeoplesaid，itwasnottoprotectacelebratednameortolockthemupinacupboard。ThatformulaofBaron’scoveredalltheground，andoneeditionwasalowestimateoftheprobableperformanceofthemagazine。
Peterleftthelettersbehindhimand，onwithdrawingfromtheeditorialpresence，tookalongwalkontheEmbankment。Hisimpressionswereatwarwitheachother——hewasflurriedbypossibilitiesofwhichheyetdeniedtheexistence。HehadconsentedtotrustMr。Locketwiththepapersadayortwolonger，tillheshouldhavethoughtoutthetermsonwhichhemight——intheeventofcertainoccurrences——beinducedtodisposeofthem。Ahundredpoundswerenotthisgentleman’slastword，norperhapswasmereunreasoningintractabilityPeter’sown。Hesighedashetooknonoteofthepicturesmadebybarges——sighedbecauseitallmightmeanmoney。Heneededmoneybitterly；heoweditindisquietingquarters。Mr。
Lockethadputitbeforehimthathehadahighresponsibility——thathemightvindicatethedisfiguredtruth，contributeachaptertothehistoryofEngland。\"Youhaven’tarighttosuppresssuchmomentousfacts，\"thehungrylittleeditorhaddeclared，thinkinghowtheseries（hewouldspreaditintothreenumbers）wouldbethetalkofthetown。IfPeterhadmoneyhemighttreathimselftoardour，tobliss。Mr。Lockethadsaid，nodoubtjustlyenough，thattherewereeversomanyquestionsonewouldhavetomeetshouldoneventuretoplaysodaringagame。Thesequestions，embarrassments，dangers——thedanger，forinstance，ofthecropping-upofsomelurkinglitigiousrelative——hewouldtakeoverunreservedlyandbearthebruntofdealingwith。Itwastoberememberedthatthepaperswerediscredited，vitiatedbytheirchildishpedigree；suchapreposterousorigin，suggesting，ashehadhintedbefore，thefeebleingenuityofathird-ratenovelist，wasathingheshouldhavetoplacehimselfatthepositivedisadvantageofbeingsilentabout。Hewouldrathergivenoaccountofthematteratallthanexposehimselftotheridiculethatsuchastorywouldinfalliblyexcite。Couldn’toneseetheminadvance，theclever，tauntingthingsthedailyandweeklypaperswouldsay？PeterBaronhadhisguilelessside，buthefelt，asheworriedwithastickthatbetrayedhimthegraniteparapetsoftheThames，thathewasnotsuchafoolasnottoknowhowMr。Locketwould\"work\"themysteryofhismarvellousfind。Nothingcouldhelpitonbetterwiththepublicthantheimpenetrabilityofthesecretattachedtoit。IfMr。Locketshouldonlybeabletokickupdustenoughoverthecircumstancesthathadguidedhishandhisfortunewouldliterallybemade。Peterthoughtahundredpoundsalowbid，yethewonderedhowthePromiscuouscouldbringitselftooffersuchasum——solargeitloomedinthelightofliteraryremunerationashithertorevealedtoouryoungman。Theexplanationofthisanomalywasofcoursethattheeditorshrewdlysawadozenwaysofgettinghismoneyback。Therewouldbeinthe\"sensation，\"atalaterstage，themakingofabookinlargetype——thebookofthehour；andtheprofitsofthisscandalousvolumeor，ifonepreferredthename，thisreconstruction，beforeanimpartialposterity，ofagreathistoricalhumbug，thesum\"down，\"inotherwords，thatanylivelypublisherwouldgiveforit，figuredvividlyinMr。Locket’scalculations。ItwasthereforealtogetheranopportunityofdealingatfirsthandwiththelivelypublisherthatPeterwasinvitedtoforego。Petergaveamasterfullaugh，rejoicinginhisheartthat，onthespot，intherepairehehadlatelyquitted，hehadnotbeentemptedbyafigurethatwouldhaveapproximatelyrepresentedthevalueofhisproperty。
Itwasagoodjob，hementallyaddedasheturnedhisfacehomeward，thattherewassolittlelikelihoodofhishavingtostrugglewiththatparticularpressure。
CHAPTERVI。
When，halfanhourlater，heapproachedJerseyVillas，henoticedthatthehouse-doorwasopen；then，ashereachedthegate，sawitmakeaframeforanunexpectedpresence。Mrs。Ryves，inherbonnetandjacket，lookedoutfromitasifshewereexpectingsomething——asifshehadbeenpassingtoandfrotowatch。Yetwhenhehadexpressedtoherthatitwasadelightfulwelcomesherepliedthatshehadonlythoughttheremightpossiblybeacabinsight。Heofferedtogoandlookforone，uponwhichitappearedthatafterallshewasnot，asyetatleast，inneed。Hewentbackwithherintohersitting-room，whereshelethimknowthatwithinacoupleofdaysshehadseenclearerwhatwasbest；shehaddeterminedtoquitJerseyVillasandhadcomeuptotakeawayherthings，whichshehadjustbeenpackingandgettingtogether。
\"Iwroteyoulastnightacharmingletterinanswertoyours，\"Baronsaid。\"Youdidn’tmentioninyoursthatyouwerecomingup。\"
\"Itwasn’tyouranswerthatbroughtme。Ithadn’tarrivedwhenI
cameaway。\"
\"You’llseewhenyougetbackthatmyletterischarming。\"
\"Idaresay。\"Baronhadobservedthattheroomwasnot，asshehadintimated，inconfusion——Mrs。Ryves’spreparationsfordeparturewerenotstriking。Shesawhimlookroundand，standinginfrontofthefirelessgratewithherhandsbehindher，shesuddenlyasked：\"Wherehaveyoucomefromnow？\"
\"Fromaninterviewwithaliteraryfriend。\"
\"Whatareyouconcoctingbetweenyou？\"
\"Nothingatall。We’vefallenout——wedon’tagree。\"
\"Isheapublisher？\"
\"He’saneditor。\"
\"Well，I’mgladyoudon’tagree。Idon’tknowwhathewants，but，whateveritis，don’tdoit。\"
\"Hemustdowhat_I_want！\"saidBaron。
\"Andwhat’sthat？\"
\"Oh，I’lltellyouwhenhehasdoneit！\"Baronbeggedhertolethimhearthe\"musicalidea\"shehadmentionedinherletter；onwhichshetookoffherhatandjacketand，seatingherselfatherpiano，gavehim，withasentimentofwhichtheveryfirstnotesthrilledhim，theaccompanimentofhissong。Shephrasedthewordswithhersketchysweetness，andhesatthereasifhehadbeenheldinavelvetvise，throbbingwiththeemotion，irrecoverableeverafterinitsfreshness，oftheyoungartistinthepresenceforthefirsttimeof\"production\"——theproofsofhisbook，thehangingofhispicture，therehearsalofhisplay。Whenshehadfinishedheaskedagainforthesamedelight，andthenformoremusicandformore；itdidhimsuchaworldofgood，kepthimquietandsafe，smoothedoutthecreasesofhisspirit。Shedroppedherownexperimentsandgavehimimmortalthings，andheloungedthere，pacifiedandcharmed，feelingthemeanlittleroomgrowlargeandvagueandhappypossibilitiescomeback。
Abruptly，atthepiano，shecalledouttohim：\"Thosepapersofyours——thelettersyoufound——arenotinthehouse？\"
\"No，they’renotinthehouse。\"
\"Iwassureofit！Nomatter——it’sallright！\"sheadded。Sheherselfwaspacified——troublewasafalsenote。Laterhewasonthepointofaskingherhowsheknewtheobjectsshehadmentionedwerenotinthehouse；butheletitpass。Thesubjectwasaprofitlessriddle——apuzzlethatgrewgrotesquelybigger，likesomemonstrosityseeninthedarkness，asoneopenedone’seyestoit。Heclosedhiseyes——hewantedanothervision。Besides，shehadshownhimthatshehadextraordinarysenses——herexplanationwouldhavebeenstrangerthanthefact。Moreovertheyhadotherthingstotalkabout，inparticularthequestionofherputtingoffherreturntoDovertillthemorrowanddispensingmeanwhilewiththevaluableprotectionofSidney。Thiswasindeedbutanotherfaceofthequestionofherdiningwithhimsomewherethatevening（whereelseshouldshedine？）——
accompanyinghim，forinstance，justforanhourofBohemia，intheirdeadlyrespectablelives，toajollylittleplaceinSoho。
Mrs。Ryvesdeclinedtohaveherlifeabused，butinfact，atthepropermoment，atthejollylittleplace，towhichshedidaccompanyhim——itdealtinmacaroniandChianti——thepairputtheirelbowsonthecrumpledclothand，facetoface，withtheirlittleemptiedcoffee-cupspushedawayandtheyoungman’scigarettelightedbyhercommand，becameincreasinglyconfidential。Theywentafterwardstothetheatre，incheapplaces，andcamehomein\"busses\"andunderumbrellas。
OnthewaybackPeterBaronturnedsomethingoverinhismindashehadneverturnedanythingbefore；itwasthequestionofwhether，attheend，shewouldlethimcomeintohersitting-roomforfiveminutes。Hefeltonthispointapassionofsuspenseandimpatience，andyetforwhatwoulditbebuttotellherhowpoorhewas？Thiswasliterallythemomenttosayit，sosupremelydepletedhadthehourofBohemialefthim。EvenBohemiawastooexpensive，andyetinthecourseofthedayhiswholetemperonthesubjectofcertainfitnesseshadchanged。AtJerseyVillas（itwasnearmidnight，andMrs。Ryves，scratchingalightforherglimmeringtaper，hadsaid：
\"Oh，yes，comeinforaminuteifyoulike！\"），inherprecariousparlour，whichwasindeed，afterthebrilliancesoftheevening，areturntouglinessandtruth，shelethimstandwhileheexplainedthathehadcertainlyeverythinginthewayoffameandfortunestilltogain，butthatyouthandloveandfaithandenergy——tosaynothingofhersupremedearness——wereallonhisside。Why，ifone’sbeginningswererough，shouldoneaddtothehardnessoftheconditionsbygivingupthedreamwhich，ifshewouldonlyhearhimout，wouldmakejusttheblesseddifference？WhetherMrs。Ryvesheardhimoutornotisacircumstanceastowhichthischroniclehappenstobesilent；butafterhehadgotpossessionofbothherhandsandbreathedintoherfaceforamomentalltheintensityofhistenderness——inthereliefandjoyofutterancehefeltitcarryhimlikearisingflood——shecheckedhimwithbetterreasons，withacold，sweetafterthoughtinwhichhefelttherewassomethingdeep。
Herprocrastinatinghead-shakewasprettierthanever，yetithadnevermeantsomanyfearsandpains——impossibilitiesandmemories，independencesandpieties，andasortofuncomplainingachefortheruinofafriendshipthathadbeenhappy。Shehadlikedhim——ifshehadn’tshewouldn’thavelethimthinkso！——butsheprotestedthatshehadnot，intheodiousvulgarsense，\"encouraged\"him。Moreovershecouldn’ttalkofsuchthingsinthatplace，atthathour，andshebeggedhimnottomakeherregrethergood-natureinstayingover。
Therewerepeculiaritiesinherposition，considerationsinsurmountable。Shegotridofhimwithkindandconfusedwords，andafterwards，inthedull，humiliatednight，hefeltthathehadbeenputinhisplace。Womeninhersituation，womenwhoafterhavingreallylovedandlost，usuallylivedonintothenewdawnsinwhicholdghostsstealaway。Buttherewassomethinginhiswhimsicalneighbourthatstruckhimasterriblyinvulnerable。
CHAPTERVII。
\"I’vehadtimetolookalittlefurtherintowhatwe’repreparedtodo，andIfindthecaseisoneinwhichIshouldconsidertheadvisabilityofgoingtoanextremelength，\"saidMr。Locket。JerseyVillasthenextmorninghadhadtheprivilegeofagainreceivingtheeditorofthePromiscuous，andhesatoncemoreatthedavenport，wheretheboneofcontention，intheshapeofalarge，looseheapofpapersthatshowedhowmuchtheyhadbeenhandled，wasplacedwellinview。\"Weshallseeourwaytoofferingyouthreehundred，butweshouldn’t，Imustpositivelyassureyou，seeitasinglestepfurther。\"
PeterBaron，inhisdressing-gownandslippers，withhishandsinhispockets，creptsoftlyabouttheroom，repeating，belowhisbreathandwithinflectionsthatforhisownsakeheendeavouredtomakehumorous：\"Threehundred——threehundred。\"Hisstateofmindwasfarfromhilarious，forhefeltpoorandsoreanddisappointed；buthewantedtoprovetohimselfthathewasgallant——wasmade，ingeneralandinparticular，ofundiscourageablestuff。Thefirstthinghehadbeenawareofonsteppingintohisfrontroomwasthatafour-wheeledcab，withMrs。Ryves’sluggageuponit，stoodatthedoorofNo。3。
Permittinghimself，behindhiscurtain，apardonablepeep，hesawthemistressofhisthoughtscomeoutofthehouse，attendedbyMrs。
Bundy，andtakeherplaceinthemodestvehicle。Afterthishiseyesrestedforalongtimeonthespriggedcottonbackofthelandlady，whokeptbobbingatthewindowofthecabanendlesslymoralisingoldhead。Mrs。Ryveshadreallytakenflight——hehadmadeJerseyVillasimpossibleforher——butMrs。Bundy，withamagnanimityunprecedentedintheprofession，seemedtoexpressabeliefinthepurityofhermotives。Baronfeltthathisownseparationhadbeen，forthepresentatleast，effected；everyinstinctofdelicacypromptedhimtostandback。
Mr。Lockettalkedalongtime，andPeterBaronlistenedandwaited。
Hereflectedthathiswillingnesstolistenwouldprobablyexcitehopesinhisvisitor——hopeswhichhehimselfwasreadytocontemplatewithoutascruple。HefeltnopityforMr。Locketandhadnoconsiderationforhissuspenseorforhispossibleillusions；heonlyfeltsickandforsakenandinwantofcomfortandofmoney。Yetitwasakindofoutragetohisdignitytohavetheknifeheldtohisthroat，andhewasirritatedaboveallbythegroundonwhichMr。
Locketputthequestion——thegroundofaservicerenderedtohistoricaltruth。Itmightbe——hewasn’tclear；itmightbe——thequestionwasdeep，toodeep，probably，forhiswisdom；atanyratehehadtocontrolhimselfnottointerruptangrilysuchdry，interestedpalaver，thefalsevoiceofcommerceandofcant。Hestaredtragicallyoutofthewindowandsawthestupidrainbegintofall；
thedaywasdullereventhanhisownsoul，andJerseyVillaslookedsosordidlyhideousthatitwasnowonderMrs。Ryvescouldn’tendurethem。HideousastheywereheshouldhavetotellMrs。Bundyinthecourseofthedaythathewasobligedtoseekhumblerquarters。
SuddenlyheinterruptedMr。Locket；heobservedtohim：\"ItakeitthatifIshouldmakeyouthisconcessionthehospitalityofthePromiscuouswouldbebythatveryfactunrestrictedlysecuredtome。\"
Mr。Locketstared。\"Hospitality——secured？\"Hethumbedthepropositionasifitwereahardpeach。
\"Imeanthatofcourseyouwouldn’t——incourtsey，ingratitude——keepondecliningmythings。\"
\"Ishouldgivethemmybestattention——asI’vealwaysdoneinthepast。\"
PeterBaronhesitated。Itwasacaseinwhichtherewouldhaveseemedtobesomechancefortheideallyshrewdaspirantinsuchanadvantageashepossessed；butafteramomentthebloodrushedintohisfacewiththeshameoftheideaofpleadingforhisproductionsinthenameofanythingbuttheirmerit。Itwasasifhehadstupidlyutteredevilofthem。Neverthelessbeaddedtheinterrogation：
\"Wouldyouforinstancepublishmylittlestory？\"
\"TheoneIread（andobjectedtosomefeaturesof）theotherday？Doyoumean——a——withthealteration？\"Mr。Locketcontinued。
\"Oh，no，Imeanutterlywithoutit。Thepagesyouwantalteredcontain，asIexplainedtoyouverylucidly，Ithink，theveryraisond’etreofthework，anditwouldtherefore，itseemstome，beanimbecilityofthefirstmagnitudetocancelthem。\"Peterhadreallyrenouncedallhopethathiscriticwouldunderstandwhathemeant，but，underfavourofcircumstances，hecouldn’tforbeartotastetheluxury，whichprobablyneveragainwouldcomewithinhisreach，ofbeingreallyplain，foronewildmoment，withaneditor。
Mr。Locketgaveaconstrainedsmile。\"Thinkofthescandal，Mr。
Baron。\"
\"Butisn’tthisotherscandaljustwhatyou’regoinginfor？\"
\"Itwillbeagreatpublicservice。\"
\"Youmeanitwillbeabigscandal，whereasmypoorstorywouldbeaverysmallone，andthatit’sonlyoutofabigonethatmoney’stobemade。\"
Mr。Locketgotup——hetoohadhisdignitytovindicate。\"SuchasumasIofferyououghtreallytobeanoffsetagainstallclaims。\"
\"Verygood——Idon’tmeantomakeany，sinceyoudon’treallycareforwhatIwrite。Itakenoteofyouroffer，\"Peterpursued，\"andI
engagetogiveyouto-night（inafewwordsleftbymyownhandatyourhouse）myabsolutelydefiniteandfinalreply。\"
Mr。Locket’smovements，ashehoveredneartherelicsoftheeminentstatesman，werethoseofsomefeatheredparentflutteringoverathreatenednest。Ifhehadbroughthishuddledbroodbackwithhimthismorningitwasbecausehehadfeltsureenoughofclosingthebargaintobeabletobegraceful。HekeptaglitteringeyeonthepapersandremarkedthathewasafraidthatbeforeleavingthemhemustelicitsomeassurancethatinthemeanwhilePeterwouldnotplacetheminanyotherhands。Peter，atthis，gavealaughofharshercadencethanheintended，asking，justlyenough，onwhatprivilegehisvisitorrestedsuchademandandwhyhehimselfwasdisqualifiedfromofferinghiswarestothehighestbidder。\"Surelyyouwouldn’thawksuchthingsabout？\"criedMr。Locket；butbeforeBaronhadtimetoretortcynicallyheadded：\"I’llpublishyourlittlestory。\"
\"Oh，thankyou！\"
\"I’llpublishanythingyou’llsendme，\"Mr。Locketcontinued，ashewentout。PeterhadbeforethisvirtuallygivenhiswordthatforthelettershewouldtreatonlywiththePromiscuous。
Theyoungmanpassed，duringaportionoftherestoftheday，thestrangesthoursofhislife。Yethethoughtofthemafterwardsnotasaphaseoftemptation，thoughtheyhadbeenfulloftheemotionthataccompaniesanintensevisionofalternatives。Thestrugglewasalreadyover；itseemedtohimthat，poorashewas，hewasnotpoorenoughtotakeMr。Locket’smoney。Helookedattheopposedcourseswiththeself-possessionofamanwhohaschosen，butthisself-
possessionwasinitselfthemostexquisiteofexcitements。Itwasreallyahighrevulsionandasortofnoblepity。Heseemedindeedtohavehisfingeruponthepulseofhistoryandtobeinthesecretofthegods。Hehadthemallinhishand，thetabletsandthescalesandthetorch。Hecouldn’tkeepacharactertogether，buthemighteasilypullonetopieces。Thatwouldbe\"creativework\"ofakind——
hecouldreconstructthecharacterlesspleasingly，couldshowanunknownsideofit。Mr。Lockethadhadagooddealtosayaboutresponsibility；andresponsibilityintruthsattherewithhimallthemorning，whileherevolvedinhisnarrowcageand，watchingthecrudespringrainonthewindows，thoughtofthedismalnesstowhich，atDover，Mrs。Ryveswasgoingback。Thisinfluencetookinfacttheform，putonthephysiognomyofpoorSirDominickFerrand；hewasatpresentasperceptibleinit，ascoldlyandstrangelypersonal，asifhehadbeenahauntingghostandhadrisenbesidehisownoldhearthstone。Ourfriendwasaccustomedtohiscompanyandindeedhadspentsomanyhoursinitoflate，followinghimupatthemuseumandcomparinghisdifferentportraits，engravingsandlithographs，inwhichthereseemedtobeconscious，pleadingeyesforthebetrayer，thattheirqueerintimacyhadgrownascloseasanembrace。SirDominickwasverydumb，buthewasterribleinhisdependence，andPeterwouldnothaveencouragedhimbysomuchcuriositynorreassuredhimbysomuchdeferencehaditnotbeenfortheyoungman’scompleteacceptanceoftheimpossibilityofgettingoutofatightplacebyexposinganindividual。Itdidn’tmatterthattheindividualwasdead；itdidn’tmatterthathewasdishonest。Peterfelthimsufficientlyalivetosuffer；heperceivedtherectificationofhistorysoconscientiouslydesiredbyMr。Lockettobesomehowforhimselfnotanimperativetask。Ithadcomeoverhimtoodefinitelythatinacasewhereone’ssuccesswastohingeuponanactofextraditionitwouldministermosttoaneasyconsciencetoletthesuccessgo。No，no——evenshouldhebestarvinghecouldn’tmakemoneyoutofSirDominick’sdisgrace。Hewasalmostsurprisedattheviolenceofthehorrorwithwhich，asheshuffledmournfullyabout，theideaofanysuchprofitinspiredhim。WhatwasSirDominicktohimafterall？Hewishedhehadnevercomeacrosshim。
Inoneofhisbroodingpausesatthewindow——thewindowoutofwhichneveragainapparentlyshouldheseeMrs。Ryvesglideacrossthelittlegardenwiththestepforwhichhehadlikedherfromthefirst——hebecameawarethattherainwasabouttointermitandthesuntomakesomegrudgingamends。Thiswasasignthathemightgoout；hehadavagueperceptionthattherewerethingstobedone。Hehadworktolookfor，andacheaperlodging，andanewidea（everyideahehadevercherishedhadlefthim），inadditiontowhichthepromisedlittlewordwastobedroppedatMr。Locket’sdoor。Helookedathiswatchandwassurprisedatthehour，forhehadnothingbutaheartachetoshowforsomuchtime。Hewouldhavetodressquickly，butashepassedtohisbedroomhiseyewascaughtbythelittlepyramidofletterswhichMr。Lockethadconstructedonhisdavenport。Theystartledhimand，staringatthem，hestoppedforaninstant，half-amused，half-annoyedattheirbeingstillinexistence。
Hehadsocompletelydestroyedtheminspiritthathehadtakentheactforgranted，andhewasnowremindedoftheorderlystagesofwhichanintentionmustconsisttobesincere。Baronwentatthepaperswithallhissincerity，andathisemptygrate（wheretherelatelyhadbeennofireandhehadonlytoremoveahorribleornamentoftissue-paperdeartoMrs。Bundy）heburnedthecollectionwithinfinitemethod。Itmadehimfeelhappiertowatchtheworstpagesturntoillegibleashes——ifhappinessbetherightwordtoapplytohissense，intheprocess，ofsomethingsocrispandcracklingthatitsuggestedthedeath-rustleofbank-notes。
Whentenminuteslaterhecamebackintohissitting-room，heseemedtohimselfoddly，unexpectedlyinthepresenceofabiggerview。Itwasasifsomeinterferingmasshadbeensodisplacedthathecouldseemoreskyandmorecountry。Yettheoppositehouseswerenaturallystillthere，andifthegrimylittleplacelookedlighteritwasdoubtlessonlybecausetherainhadindeedstoppedandthesunwaspouringin。Peterwenttothewindowtoopenittothealteredair，andindoingsobeheldatthegardengatethehumble\"growler\"
inwhichafewhoursbeforehehadseenMrs。Ryvestakeherdeparture。Itwasunmistakable——herememberedtheknock-kneedwhitehorse；butthismadethefactthathisfriend’sluggagenolongersurmounteditonlythemoremystifying。Perhapsthecabmanhadalreadyremovedtheluggage——hewasnowonhisboxsmokingtheshortpipethatderivedrelishfrominactionpaidfor。AsPeterturnedintotheroomagainhisearscaughtaknockathisowndoor，aknockexplained，assoonashehadresponded，bythehardbreathingofMrs。
Bundy。
\"Please，sir，it’stosayshe’vecomeback。\"
\"Whathasshecomebackfor？\"Baron’squestionsoundedungracious，buthisheartachehadgivenanotherthrob，andhefeltadreadofanotherwound。Itwaslikeapracticaljoke。
\"Ithinkit’sforyou，sir，\"saidMrs。Bundy。\"She’llseeyouforamoment，ifyou’llbesogood，intheoldplace。\"
Peterfollowedhishostessdownstairs，andMrs。Bundyusheredhim，withhercompanyflourish，intotheapartmentshehadfondlydesignated。
\"Iwentawaythismorning，andI’veonlyreturnedforaninstant，\"
saidMrs。Ryves，assoonasMrs。Bundyhadclosedthedoor。Hesawthatshewasdifferentnow；somethinghadhappenedthathadmadeherindulgent。
\"HaveyoubeenallthewaytoDoverandback？\"
\"No，butI’vebeentoVictoria。I’veleftmyluggagethere——I’vebeendrivingabout。\"
\"Ihopeyou’veenjoyedit。\"
\"Verymuch。I’vebeentoseeMr。Morrish。\"
\"Mr。Morrish？\"
\"Themusicalpublisher。Ishowedhimoursong。Iplayeditforhim，andhe’sdelightedwithit。Hedeclaresit’sjustthething。Hehasgivenmefiftypounds。Ithinkhebelievesinus，\"Mrs。Ryveswenton，whileBaronstaredatthewonder——toosweettobesafe，itseemedtohimasyet——ofherstandingthereagainbeforehimandspeakingofwhattheyhadincommon。\"Fiftypounds！fiftypounds！\"sheexclaimed，flutteringathimherhappycheque。Shehadcomeback，thefirstthing，totellhim，andofcoursehisshareofthemoneywouldbethehalf。Shewasrosy，jubilant，natural，shechatteredlikeahappywoman。Shesaidtheymustdomore，eversomuchmore。
Mr。Morrishhadpracticallypromisedhewouldtakeanythingthatwasasgoodasthat。ShehadkepthercabbecauseshewasgoingtoDover；shecouldn’tleavetheothersalone。Itwasavehicleinfirmandinert，butBaron，afteralittle，appreciateditspace，forshehadconsentedtohisgettinginwithheranddriving，thistimeinearnest，toVictoria。Shehadonlycometotellhimthegoodnews——
sherepeatedthisassurancemorethanonce。Theytalkedofitsoprofoundlythatitdroveeverythingelseforthetimeoutofhishead——hisdutytoMr。Locket，theremarkablesacrificehehadjustachieved，andeventheoddcoincidence，matchingwiththeoddityofalltheothers，ofherhavingrevertedtothehouseagain，asifwithoneofherfamousdivinations，attheverymomentthetrumperypapers，theoriginreallyoftheirintimacy，hadceasedtoexist。
Butshe，onherside，alsohadevidentlyforgottenthetrumperypapers：shenevermentionedthemagain，andPeterBaronneverboastedofwhathehaddonewiththem。Hewassilentforawhile，fromcuriositytoseeifherfinenerveshadreallygivenherahint；
andthenlater，whenitcametobeaquestionofhispermanentattitude，hewassilent，prodigiously，religiously，tremulouslysilent，inconsequenceofanextraordinaryconversationthathehadwithher。
ThisconversationtookplaceatDover，whenhewentdowntogiveherthemoneyforwhich，atMr。Morrish’sbank，hehadexchangedthechequeshehadleftwithhim。Thatcheque，orrathercertainthingsitrepresented，hadmadesomehowallthedifferenceintheirrelations。Thedifferencewashuge，andBaroncouldthinkofnothingbutthisconfirmedvisionoftheirbeingabletoworkfruitfullytogetherthatwouldaccountforsorapidachange。Shedidn’ttalkofimpossibilitiesnow——shedidn’tseemtowanttostophimoff；onlywhen，thedayfollowinghisarrivalatDoverwiththefiftypounds（hehadafteralltoagreetosharethemwithher——hecouldn’texpecthertotakeapresentofmoneyfromhim），hereturnedtothequestionoverwhichtheyhadhadtheirlittlescenethenighttheydinedtogether——onthisoccasion（hehadbroughtaportmanteauandhewasstaying）shementionedthattherewassomethingveryparticularshehaditonherconsciencetotellhimbeforelettinghimcommithimself。Theredawnedinherfaceassheapproachedthesubjectalightofwarningthatfrightenedhim；itwaschargedwithsomethingsostrangethatforaninstantheheldhisbreath。Thisflashofuglypossibilitiespassedhowever，anditwaswiththegestureoftakingstilltendererpossessionofher，checkedindeedbythegrave，importantwaysheheldupafinger，thatheanswered：\"Tellmeeverything——tellme！\"
\"YoumustknowwhatIam——whoIam；youmustknowespeciallywhatI’mnot！There’sanameforit，ahideous，cruelname。It’snotmyfault！Othershaveknown，I’vehadtospeakofit——ithasmadeagreatdifferenceinmylife。Surelyyoumusthaveguessed！\"shewenton，withthethinnestquaverofirony，lettinghimnowtakeherhand，whichfeltascoldasherhardduty。\"Don’tyouseeI’venobelongings，norelations，nofriends，nothingatall，inalltheworld，ofmyown？Iwasonlyapoorgirl。\"
\"Apoorgirl？\"Baronwasmystified，touched，distressed，piecingdimlytogetherwhatshemeant，butfeeling，inagreatsurgeofpity，thatitwasonlysomethingmoretoloveherfor。
\"Mymother——mypoormother，\"saidMrs。Ryves。
Shepausedwiththis，andthroughgatheringtearshereyesmethisasiftopleadwithhimtounderstand。Heunderstood，anddrewhercloser，butshekeptherselffreestill，tocontinue：\"Shewasapoorgirl——shewasonlyagoverness；shewasalone，shethoughthelovedher。Hedid——Ithinkitwastheonlyhappinesssheeverknew。
Butshediedofit。\"
\"Oh，I’msogladyoutellme——it’ssograndofyou！\"Baronmurmured。
\"Then——yourfather？\"Hehesitated，asifwithhishandsonoldwounds。
\"Hehadhisowntroubles，buthewaskindtoher。Itwasallmiseryandfolly——hewasmarried。Hewasn’thappy——thereweregoodreasons，Ibelieve，forthat。Iknowitfromletters，Iknowitfromapersonwho’sdead。Everyoneisdeadnow——it’stoofaroff。That’stheonlygoodthing。Hewasverykindtome；Irememberhim，thoughIdidn’tknowthen，asalittlegirl，whohewas。Heputmewithsomeverygoodpeople——hedidwhathecouldforme。Ithink，later，hiswifeknew——aladywhocametoseemeonceafterhisdeath。Iwasaverylittlegirl，butIremembermanythings。Whathecouldhedid——
somethingthathelpedmeafterwards，somethingthathelpsmenow。I
thinkofhimwithastrangepity——ISEEhim！\"saidMrs。Ryves，withthefaintpastinhereyes。\"Youmustn’tsayanythingagainsthim，\"
sheadded，gentlyandgravely。
\"Never——never；forhehasonlymadeitmoreofarapturetocareforyou。\"
\"Youmustwait，youmustthink；wemustwaittogether，\"shewenton。
\"Youcan’ttell，andyoumustgivemetime。Nowthatyouknow，it’sallright；butyouhadtoknow。Doesn’titmakeusbetterfriends？\"
askedMrs。Ryves，withatiredsmilewhichhadtheeffectofputtingthewholestoryfurtherandfurtheraway。Thenextmoment，however，sheaddedquickly，asifwiththesensethatitcouldn’tbefarenough：\"Youdon’tknow，youcan’tjudge，youmustletitsettle。
Thinkofit，thinkofit；ohyouwill，andleaveitso。Imusthavetimemyself，ohImust！Yes，youmustbelieveme。\"
Sheturnedawayfromhim，andheremainedlookingatheramoment。
\"Ah，howIshallworkforyou！\"heexclaimed。
\"Youmustworkforyourself；I’llhelpyou。\"Hereyeshadmethiseyesagain，andsheadded，hesitating，thinking：\"Youhadbetterknow，perhaps，whohewas。\"
Baronshookhishead，smilingconfidently。\"Idon’tcareastraw。\"
\"Ido——alittle。Hewasagreatman。\"
\"Theremustindeedhavebeensomegoodinhim。\"
\"Hewasahighcelebrity。You’veoftenheardofhim。\"
Baronwonderedaninstant。\"I’venodoubtyou’reaprincess！\"hesaidwithalaugh。Shemadehimnervous。
\"I’mnotashamedofhim。HewasSirDominickFerrand。\"
Baronsawinherface，inafewseconds，thatshehadseensomethinginhis。Heknewthathestared，thenturnedpale；ithadtheeffectofapowerfulshock。Hewascoldforaninstant，ashehadjustfoundher，withthesenseofdanger，theconfusedhorrorofhavingdealtablow。Butthebloodrushedbacktoitscourseswithhisstillquickerconsciousnessofsafety，andhecouldmakeout，asherecoveredhisbalance，thathisemotionstruckhersimplyasaviolentsurprise。Hegaveamuffledmurmur：\"Ah，it’syou，mybeloved！\"whichlostitselfashedrewhercloseandheldherlong，intheintensityofhisembraceandthewonderofhisescape。Ittookmorethanaminuteforhimtosayovertohimselfoftenenough，withhishiddenface：\"Ah，shemustnever，neverknow！\"
Sheneverknew；sheonlylearned，whensheaskedhimcasually，thathehadinfactdestroyedtheolddocumentsshehadhadsuchacomiccapriceabout。Thesensibility，thecuriositytheyhadhadthequeerprivilegeofexcitinginherhadlapsedwiththeeventasirresponsiblyastheyhadarisen，andsheappearedtohaveforgotten，orrathertoattributenowtoothercauses，theagitationandseveraloftheoddincidentsthataccompaniedthem。TheynaturallygavePeterBaronrathermoretothinkabout，muchfood，indeed，forclandestinemeditation，someofwhich，inspiteofthepainshetooknottobecaught，wasnotedbyhisfriendandinterpreted，tohisknowledge，asdepressionproducedbythelongprobationshesucceededinimposingonhim。Hewasmorepatientthanshecouldguess，withallherguessing，forifhewasputtotheproofsheherselfwasnotleftundissected。ItcamebacktohimagainandagainthatifthedocumentshehadburnedprovedanythingtheyprovedthatSirDominickFerrand’shumanerrorswerenotallofoneorder。Thewomanhelovedwasthedaughterofherfather，hecouldn’tgetoverthat。Whatwasmoretothepointwasthatashecametoknowherbetterandbetter——
fortheydidworktogetherunderMr。Morrish’sprotection——hisaffectionwasaquantitystilllesstobeneglected。Hesometimeswondered，inthelightofhergeneralstraightness（theirmarriagehadbroughtoutevenmorethanhebelievedtherewasofit）whethertherelicsinthedavenportweregenuine。ThatpieceoffurnitureisstillalmostasusefultohimasMr。Morrish’spatronage。Thereisatremendousrun，asthisgentlemencallsit，onseveraloftheirsongs。Baronneverthelessstilltrieshishandalsoatprose，andhisofferingsarenownotalwaysdeclinedbythemagazines。ButhehasneverapproachedthePromiscuousagain。ThisperiodicalpublishedinduecourseahighlyeulogisticstudyoftheremarkablecareerofSirDominickFerrand。
